Reset mechanism for counters and the like



Jan. 7, 1941.

c. s. HAZARD 2,227,831

RESET MECHANISM FOR QOUNTERS-AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 29, 1938 lNVENTOR h? M N ATTO NEYS Jan; 7, 1941.

C. S. HAZARD RESET MECHANISM FOR COUNTERS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 29, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 v INVENTOR v (/rarlrs J Hazard AQQATTORNEYS Jan. 7, 1941. c. s. HAZARD RESET MECHANISM FOR COUNTERS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 29, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 3' INVENTOR tlrgksJ/hzafl MJ/ K :FZoRNEYs' Filed Nov. 29, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEYS Jan. 7, 1941. q 5 z b 4 2,227,831

RESET MECHANISM FOR COUNTERS AND THE LIKE I Filed Nov. 29, 1938 5 "Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR liar/as J. Hazard Ag ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 7, 1941 UNITED STATES ansn'r mncnmsm non COUNTERS AND I THE mm Charles S. Hazard, Andover, N. 1., asslgnor to Neptune Meter Company, a corporation of New J-emy Application November 29, 1938, Serial No. 242,877

1801alms.

This invention relates to counters and more particularly to improvements in re-setting mechanism therefor.

Resetting mechanisms for counters such, for

example, as may be used in computers for indicating the amount and cost of the substance counted, are often subjected to rough usage, that is, sudden jerking and very rapid operation of the reset shaft. Sudden jerking of the resetting mechanism in certain types of counters sometimes causes the mechanism to miss or jump past the engageable lug associated with the indicating means, or should the mechanism engage the lug, a sudden jolt caused by the jerking or rapid movement of the reset shaft may cause the mechanism to vibrate and release the lug,

thereby failing to properly reset the counter. Then again, where the indicating means are reset too rapidly they may, due to their own momentum, be thrown past the zero mark unless effective stop means are provided.

In accordance with the present invention these difllculties are overcome by the provision of a novel pick-up and stop arrangement wherein the pick-up deviceis movable to a position upon initiation of a resetting operation where it will definitely contact and move the engageable lug of the counter mechanism toward zero position, the stop means being also movable to a position during the resetting operation to deflnitely engage and stop the engageable lug in zero position, the pick-up device and stop means 00- operating to momentarily clamp the lug in zero position prior to their withdrawal from the path of movement of the engageable lug. To free the counting mechanism of' the resetting mechanism at the completion of a resetting operation, means are usually provided to effect a short pull-back movement on the resetting mechanism. Pull-back devices provided for this purpose have heretofore included a spring which expends its energy during the pullback movement, and since certain parts of the resetting mechanism are adapted to be shifted near the end of the pull-back movement, an unusually strong spring is required to complete the shifting movement in order to properly free the counting mechanism for a new counting operation. The use of an unusually strong spring,

iii

required to turn the resetting shaft but also tends to introduce a destructive jolting action upon the mechanism during the pull back movement.

In the present invention I have provided a however, not only adds considerably to the powerpull-back mechanism which is capable of effecting the complete disengagement of the counter and .reset mechanisms by utilizing a spring of much less strength than heretofore used, thereby greatly minimizing the jolting action of pullback mechanism heretofore experienced. My new pull-back mechanism includes a cam associated with the reset shaft having a cam surface extended outwardly from the shaft against which a follower is adapted to apply the force of a pull-back spring at a leverage which increases as the spring reacts. By varying the leverage at which the force of the pull-back spring is applied to the reset shaft, the resulting torque on the shaft is maintained substantially constant throughout the pull-back movement, the varying leverage. largely compensating for the changing strength of the spring during ro-. tation of the reset shaft.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a resetting mechanism for counters having an arrangement of pick-up andzero stop elements whereby the indicating means may be reset to zero position without any possibility of being left behind or thrown past the zero mark.

Another object of this invention is to provide a resetting mechanism for counters or the like with means capable of effecting .a pullback movement of sufficient power to effectively free the indicating means of the pick-up and zero stop elements when the indicating means reaches zero position with a minimum of jolting and jarring action. Another object of this invention is to provide the resetting mechanism with means adapted to store energy during a resetting operation capable of effecting a pull-back torque on the reset shaft which is maintained substantially constant throughout a pull-back movement.

Another object of this invention is to provide a resetting mechanism for counters capable of effecting a resetting operation by a movement slightly greater than one complete revolution of the resetting mechanism.

A further object of this invention is to provide a structural arrangement incorporating the resetting mechanism whereby a plurality of counters, such as provided in computing devices of the character adapted to indicate the amount and cost of a substance being counted, may be simultaneously reset to zero.

The above and other objects will become apparent upon considering the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawi s, in which:

Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line Il of Figure 2 showing a computer embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 2--2 of Figure l with parts broken away to show the interior mechanism of one of the numeral wheels;

Figure 3 is a. vertical sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3 with parts broken away showing a portion of the resetting mechanism prior to the initiation of a resetting operation;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view similar to Figure 4 with the resetting mechanism shown in the extreme resetting position just prior to a pull-back movement, certain of the gears driven thereby being indicated in broken lines;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along line B6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a view in vertical elevation of the pull-back mechanism as viewed from the righthand side of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view similar to Figure 2 showing certain elements of the resetting mechanism in different operative positions;

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 99 of Figure 1; and

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 with parts broken away and the elements in a different position.

A computer embodying the principles of the present invention is provided with a plurality of counters adapted to indicate the amount and cost of substance or units being counted. The computer, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, comprises a pair .of frame members I and II on which four identically constructed counters A, B, C and D are mounted. The upper counters A and B may be provided with appropriate characters in the order of units, tens and hundreds representative of the cost of the substance being counted, while the lower counters C and D may be provided with appropriate characters in the same order representative of the amount suchas volume, length, number, etc., depending on the character of the substance being counted. Diametrically disposed between the four counters is a form of my improved resetting mechanism which is adapted to reset all four counters simultaneously.

The resetting mechanism of my invention may be used with counters where the numeral wheels are adapted .to be reset either in a forward or reverse direction. For purposes of illustration, however, the resetting mechanism is shown with counters of the type disclosed in the copending application of Peter J. McLaren, Serial No. 206,570, filed May 7, 1938, now United States Patent No. 2,177,437, dated October 24, 1939, wherein the numeral wheels are adapted to be reset in a direction reverse to that of a counting operation.

Since all four of the counters are identical, the counter A only will be described in suflicient detail to give an understanding of the counter construction. Referring to Figures 1, 2, 9 and 10, counter A comprises a units wheel [2,"a tens wheel l3 and a hundreds wheel I4, all revolvably mounted upon a shaft l6 supported by bearings 17 and IS in the frame members "I and H. The uni-ts wheel [2 is carried by a sleeve 20 revolvably mounted upon shaft IS. The sleeve 20 also carries a gear 22 by which the numeral wheel I2 is driven during both the counting and resetting operations. I

The tens wheel I3 is driven from the numeral wheel 12 by the usual Geneva type of transfer gearing 24. Secured to the sleeve 20 is a lock disc 26 having provided in its periphery a single notch 21 (Fig. 2), the notch being bounded on one side of the disc by two teeth of a gear segment 28. A transfer pinion 30 is rotatably mounted on a .plate 32 which is secured for rotation with shaft I6. Alternate teeth on the pinion 30 are cut short so that the lock disc is adapted to engage only the long teeth extending the full width of the pinion. The short teeth 36 which areadapted to be engaged by the teeth of the gear segment 28 mesh with a gear 38 connected to a disc 40 and a notched detent wheel 42. The disc 40 is rotatably mounted on a sleeve 44, a ring 46 being provided to retain the disc in operative position. The tens wheel I! is secured to the sleeve 44 adjacent the disc 40. Pivotally mounted upon a pin 48 carried on a side portion of the wheel 13 is a latch 50 provided with a finger 5| and a tail portion 52 (Figs. 9 and 10). The latch 50 is held on the pin 48 by the disc 40. A spring 53 is connected to the latch 50 and to the side of-the wheel I3 to normally maintain the finger .Il engaged between two adjacent teeth of the notched detent wheel 42. When the counter is driven forward by gear 22 the units wheel l2 and the disc 26 are revolved, enabling the notch 2l'and teeth 28 to engage the teeth on the transfer pinion 30 to move the tens wheel ll through one-tenth of a revolution for each complete-revolution of the units wheel 12.

The transfer gearing 54 between the tens wheel l2 and the hundreds wheel I4 is identical with that of the transfer gearing 24. A look disc 55 carried by the sleeve 44 drives the gear 56 and the notched detent wheel 88 through the medium of the transfer pinion 60, the latch 22 providing a releasable connection between the wheel l4 and the notched detent wheel 58.

The transfer pinions II and being carried by the shaft ii for rotation in planetary paths during rotation of the shaft render it possible to return the tens and hundreds wheels to zero position upon a single rotation of the shaft l8. Referring specifically to the transfer gearing 24, rotation of the shaft l6 moves the pinion 30 through an orbit about the shaft IS, the pinion being held against rotation on its own axis by the lock disc 26 save only for the partial rotation imparted to it when the notch 21 is encountered. While the pinion 30 is thus held against rotation about its own axis during a movement in its planetary orbit, it looks with and drives the gear 28, which in turn causes the tens wheel [3 to be returned toward zero position. One complete planetary movement of the pinion 30 makes it possible for the wheel ii to be returned toward zero through at least nine-tenths of a revolution. Since the wheel H can never stand further away from .zero than nine-tenths of a revolution, it will therefore always be moved through a distance suflicient to return it to zero position.

When the tens wheel ll reaches zeroposition, the rotation of the shaft I may not be complate. [3 from the pinion 20, a rockable member 63 having depending stops 4 is pivotally mounted for limited movement in openings '5 and 66 formed in the frame members III and II. As the tens wheel l3 reaches'zero position, the tail por- Therefore, in order to release the wheel latch 00 to move counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 9 to disengage the detent wheel 02. The

r tens wheel is thereupon retained in, or slightly beyond, zero position while the shaft I0 and the transfer pinion 00 are moved through the re-' maining portion of the resetting movement. The stop member '63 is biased to stopping position by action of gravity, the member being movable clockwise (see Figs.- 2, 9 and 10) to permit the tens wheel to pass thereunder during a counting operation. Should the tens wheel be in zero position at the initiation of a resetting operation, the tail portion 02 will immediately engage the stop 00 and thereby retain the wheel at zero position throughout the resetting operation. The

driving relation between the detent wheel 02 and the tens wheel I0 is re-established at the end of a resetting operation by the tension of the spring 50 which continually urges the latch 00 clockwise for locking engagement between ad jacent teeth of the detent wheel 02. i

The hundreds wheel II which is carried by a sleeve 61 is returned to zero position by the planetary movement of the pinion 00 in the same manner as just described in connection with the tens wheel I0, movement of the shaft I6 being controlled by the resetting mechanism through a gear 00. The units wheel I2- is returned to zero position independent of the tens and hundreds wheels by a pick-up mechanism to be hereinafter described.

Having described the type of counter with which my: invention is illustrated, I shall now.

describe that form of the driving and resetting mechanism which embodies thenovel features of my invention.

Each of the counters A, B, C and D are pro,- vided with an auxiliary shaft II, I2, I0 and I0 respectively, appropriately mounted in'bearings contained in the frame members I0 and II. Diametrically located between the auxiliary shafts is a main resetting shaft II which is also mounted in frame members I0 and II, the opposite ends of the shaft being extended beyond the frame members and provided with slotted sleeves I0 and 11 for the reception of a resetting handle (not shown). Keyed to shaft I2 for the purpose of driving the counters A and B during a counting operation is a friction clutch 00 comprising a sleeve 0| upon which a driving ear 02 is rotatably mounted for frictional engagement with a spring element 00 adjustably held against the gear 02 by a ring nut 04. Fixed to the sleeve 0| is a gear 85 which meshes with a gear 00 carried by a sleeve 01 rotatably mounted upon shaft II. The gear 00 in turn meshes with the gear 22 operatively connected to the units wheel- I2, of

' counter A. Counter B is driven from shaft I2 carried by the shaft", (Fig. 2) which in turn meshes with'a gear 02 operatively connected with the units wheel of counter C. The friction clutch 9| also drives the shaft I0 by meshing with gear '93, the units wheel of. counter D beingdriven from shaft 10 by gears 04 and 00- (Fig. 3) similarlyas in the case of the units wheel of counter B.

The mechanism for controlling the movement of the main resetting shaft and therefore the entire resetting mechanism is best illustrated in Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Surrounding the sleeve I1 and secured to the frame member I I is a stationary lock disc I00 having a notch IN to receive the head I02 of a latch I00 for the purpose of releasably locking the shaft I5 during a counting operation. Keyed to the shaft I5 is an arm I00 provided with an inclined slot I05, and adjacent the arm I00 is a gear I00 carried by a sleeve I01 rotatably mounted on the shaft I0. The latch I00 is pivotally mounted on an arm I00 secured to the side of the gear I00, the latch being provided with .a pin IIO receivable in the inclined slot I00.

The initial resetting movement of shaft I0 causes the arm I00 to move clockwise camming the pin IIO upwardly in slot I00, thereby lifting the head of the latch I00 from engagement with the notch I". when the pin reaches the lefthand end of the slot, continued rotation of the shaft I0 moves the crank arm- I00, latch I00 and the arm I00 to revolve the gear I00 clockwise whereby the tens and hundreds wheels of the several counters may be simultaneously reset to zero position. The gear I00 engages a gear II2 rotatably mounted on the shaft II, the gear H2 being secured by lockingshims ill to a gear H0 which in turn meshes with a gear 00 carried by the shaft I0. Thus, during the rotation of gear I00 the shaft I0 is "driven to effect the resetting operation of the tens and hundreds wheels I0 and I0. The resetting of the tens and hundreds wheels of counter B is effected by the meshing engagement of gear IIO with gear IIO rotatably mounted on shaft", the latter in turn meshing with gear I20 secured to shaft I012. The tens and hundreds wheels of counters C and D are reset from gear I00 by a gearing arrangement similar to that just described, the take-off gear I22 which meshes with gear I00 being indicated in Figure 5.

To prevent the gear I00 from being revolvable in a counterclockwise direction, a ratchet wheel I20 carried by the sleeve I" is provided for engagement with a pawl I20 pivotally mounted on a stud I20 (see 1"ig. 6). The teeth of the ratchet wheel are so arranged that the pawl is adapted to engage a tooth on the ratchet wheel at the extreme resetting movement of the resettin mechanism. The pawl I20 and ratchet wheel I20 thus prevent the gear I00 from having any ap preciable reverse movement during the pull-back movement.

In order to insure the stopping of the shaft I0 at the end of a resetting movement, a lever I00 is secured to the sleeve 11, thelever being provided with an inturned end IOI extended through an opening I02 in the frame member II to a position overlying the path of movement of the latch I00. The latch I00 is provided with an ear I04 adapted to engage the end IOI of lever I00 just prior to the completion of a resetting movement. The lever I00 is biased to the left as viewed in Figs. 1 and 4 by a compression spring I00. Extending through the 'opening I02 of frame member II is an abutment I01 adapted to verse movement upon the shaft whereby the pin IIO of the latch I03 is permitted to move along the slot I05 until the head I02 is lockingly received in the notch IOI. Upon movement of the latch I03 into notch IN, the lever I60 is released from the ear I34 for return movement by spring I36 counterclockwise to the position indicated in Figure 4. The resetting mechanism is then ready to perform another resetting movement.

For the purpose of resetting the units wheels of the several counters, a novel pick-up and stop arrangement together with means for effecting a pull-back movement are shown in detail in Figures 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8. A pull-back cam I40 integral with sleeve I42 is mounted for rotation with the reset shaft 15. A gear I44 carried by the cam sleeve I42 meshes with a gear I45 rotatably mounted on shaft II (Fig. 2) and another gear I46 rotatably mounted on shaft 16. Se-

cured to the gear I45 is a three-pronged member I50 to which a single-toothed pawl I5I is pivotally mounted at I52 on prong I53. Connected to the free end I54 of the pawl III and the prong I56 of member I50 is a spring I58 adapted to bias the pawl I5I for movement toward the shaft 1|, the third prong I56 of member I50 being adapted to engage and retain the pawl in a predetermined position for rotation in a path about the shaft II. A ring I60 carried by the sleeve 61 for movement with gear 86 has a laterally extended lug I62 adapted to move in a path about the shaft 1I common to the path of movementof the pawl I5I whereby the pawl may engage and move the lug for a resetting movement toward zero position. After the lug I62 reaches zero position, the pawl I5I is withdrawn from the path of movement of the lug I62 by a pull-back movement which causes a tail portion I64 of the pawl I5I to engage a latch I65 which is pivotally mounted on a stud I66 carried by the frame member III. The latch I65 is provided with two laterally extended arms I61 and I68. The arm I61 is extended through an opening I10 in the frame member I6 whereby movement of the latch I65 is limited by the opposed sides of the opening. A spring I12 engages the arm I61 to bias the latch I65 to the extreme right hand position indicated in Figure 2 for the purpose of positioning the other arm I66 for releasable engagement with the tail portion .I64, whereby the pawl I5I may be withdrawn from engagement with prong I56 and moved to a non-pick-up position by clockwise movement of the gear I45 and returned to the pick-up position adjacent the prong I56 by counterclockwise movement of the gear I45. Upon initiation of a resetting movement, th

gear I45 as viewed in Figure 2 is moved counterclockwise whereby the tail portion I 64 of the pawl I H is disengaged from the latch I65, permitting .the spring I58 to move the pawl I II to the predetermined pick-up position in the path of the lug I62. The continued rotation of the reset shaft 15 causes the pawl I5I to revolve about shaft H for engagement with the extended lug I62 to drive the gear 86 counterclockwise and thus return the units wheel I2 toward zero position. The-units wheel I2b of counter B-is' moved toward zero position simultaneously with the units wheel I2 by gear 66 through the connection including gear 85, shaft 12, and gears 66 and 22b. The unit wheels of' counters C and D are re- .turned toward zero position by a pick-up arrangement including a three-pronged member I500, a pawl I5Ic and a latch I65c associated with the gear I46 which is identical in construction to the pick-up arrangement described in connection with gear I45. The units wheels of the several counters are thus positively moved toward zero position by the resetting movement of the reset shaft 15.

To provide a positivestop for the unit wheels of both sets of counters A, B and C, D a double armed pawl I15 in the form of a bell crank is rotatably mounted on the reset shaft 15. The arm I16 of the pawl I15 is provided with a shoulder I 11 to engage a lug I16 adjustably secured by bolts I80 and I6I on the gear 65 carried by shaft I2. The other arm I62 of the pawl I15 is provided with a shoulder I 83 for engagement with a lug I64 adjustably secured to a gear 66 carried by the shaft 14. Pivotally mounted on the pawl I15 is a small pawl I66 adapted to engage a projection I61 carried by the sleeve I42. The small pawl I66 is biased toward the shaft 15 by a spring I66, the pawl being provided with a tail portion I66 engageable with an abutment I60 on the pawl I15 to limit the movement of the small pawl I66 to a position for engagement with the projection I61.

Upon initiation of a resetting operation the projection I61 is moved clockwise as viewed in Figure 8, permitting the pawl I15 which is biased by a spring I62 to move clockwise for engagement with a pin I66 to position the shoulders I11 and I63 for stopping engagement with the lugs I16 and I64, respectively. To prevent the pawl I15 from prematurely engaging the lugs I16 and I 64, a member I64 having a laterally projected lug I65 and biased clockwise by a spring I66 is rotatably mounted on shaft 12 for engagement with a shoulder I66 on the pawl vI15. The lug I65 retains the pawl I15 momentarily until the shaft 15 has been moved through a partial rotation, whereupon the projection I61 engages an extended portion I66 of the member I64, causing the member to move and disengage the shoulder I68, the pawl I15 thereby being permitted to move on to zero stopping position. When the units wheels of the several counters reach zero position, the lugs I16 and I64 engage the shoulders I11 and I63 of the pawl I15, thereby definitely stopping the units wheels in zero position.

In order to effect a pull-back movement on the reset shaft 15 which exerts sufllcient torque throughout the movement to effectively free the counters of the pick-up and stop elements, a pull-back mechanism has been providedcomprising the cam I40 and a spring biased follower 200. The cam I40 has a portion "I of the cam surface thereof extendedoutwardly from the axis of shaft 15 over which a roller 202 is adapted to move. The roller 202 is rotatably mounted on a pin 206 carried by a lever 204 which is pivotally mounted on astud 206 located adjacent the shaft 15. An arcuate slot 201 is provided in the frame member I0 through which the roller 202 extends for engagement with the cam surface, the cam I40 and the lever 204 being located on opposite sides of the frame member I0. The lever 204 is provided with an elongated opening 206 through which one end of a rod 2" extends, the other end of the rod being pivoted to the frame member I0 at 2I2. A compression spring 2 is carried bythe rod 2I0 so as to exert a force upon the lever 204. The axis about which the lever 264 is pivoted, being ofl'set from the axis of the shaft 15, enables the roller 262 to move in an arc of a circle extending outwardly from the shaft 15.

This relationship, which is illustrated in Figure '1, is important since it propull-back torque on the shaft is maintained substantially constant throughout the pull-back movement. i l

The operation of the mechanism illustrated will be apparent from the foregoing description thereof but may be summarized as follows:

Upon initial movement of the reset shaft IS the arm I04 (see Figs. 4 and 5) is moved clockwise, causing the pin IIO of the'latch I03 to slide upwardly in the slot I05 thereby lifting the latch I03 from engagement with the locking. disc I00. Continued rotation of the shaft 15 causes the pin IIO to become engaged in the left-hand end of the slot I05 whereby the latch I03 is forced to move in a clockwise direction about the shaft I5 to drive the gear I06. Meshing with the gear I06 are gears H2 and I22 which operate through a chain of gears to drive the shafts upon which the tens and hundreds wheels of the counters A, B, C and D are rotatably mounted. As described in connection with the counter mechanismthe tens and hundreds wheels are reset to zero by the planetary movement of the transfer pinions thereof about the shafts supporting the numeral wheels.

The units wheels of the several counters are reset to zero by the resetting movement of shaft I! which drives through gears I ll and I the pick-up devices containing the biased pawls Ill and IBI c. The initial rotation of shaft II causes counterclockwise rotation of the pick-up devices abouttheir respective shafts II and "whereby the pick-up pawls I ii, I lie are released by the disengagement of the tail portions I, I040 from latches I and I850 for movement to positions where the pick-up pawls, in their continued counter-clockwise movement about the shafts II and I3, are adapted to contact and move the engageable lugs I 02, Il2c associated with the upper and lower sets of counters toward zero position. The double-armed pawl I1! is released for movement to zero stopping position upon the initial movement of shaft ",clockwise movement of the lug I01 permitting the pawl IIlto also move clockwise by action of the spring I02. Since the shaft II is moved through a movement greater than a single rotation. it is important to prevent the stops from moving into zero position immediately upon the initiation of a resetting operation. The latch IN is therefore provided to momentarily intercept the .doublearmed pawl I at in when the pawl I" is released by the lug m, the latch m being later tripped by the lug I01 engagin the portion I09 to thereby permit the pawl III. to move into zero stopping position where shoulders I" and III are adapted to engage the lugs Ill and I respectively and thereby stop the units wheels at zero position. It will thus be apparent that the units wheels of the several counters will be returned and momentarily clamped in zero posltion by cooperation of the pick-up pawls III pull-back movement.

The pawls of the pick-up devices and the shoulders 'of the stop pawl are withdrawn from engagement with the counter mechanism by, a

pull-back movement on the shaft 15, the pullback movement being counterclockwise as viewed in Figs. 2 and 'I. Since the pick-up pawls are adapted to be shifted from their pick-up position during a pull-back movement and the zero stop pawl moved to aposition free of the lugs I18 and Ill near the end of the pull-back movement. it is important that the pull-back torque these pick-up and zero stop elements. The pullback torque is maintained substantially constant throughout the pull-back movement by the structural arrangement of .the pull-back cam I40 whereby the spring biased follower 200 is adapted to exert the force of the spring at a variable leverage, the leverage being increased as the spring reacts. The position of the roller 202 as shown in broken lines in Fig. ,7 is that position assumed by the roller after the pull-backmovement which follows each resetting operation, the roller 202 remaining in this position during counting operations.

Upon an initial resetting or clockwise movement of the shaft IS, the roller 202 is moved upwardly and to the right toward the shaft 15, as indicated in dot and dash lines in Fig. '7, by action of the cam surface 20I. Since the shaft I5 is adapted to make a clockwise movement in excess of 360 for eachresetting operation. the continued clockwise movement of the cam device I causes the roller to pass onto the surface 20la, which gradually permits the roller to return to the broken line position 'of Fig. 7, whereupon the roller 202 is again caused to move across the cam surface 20I to substantially the position indicated by the dot and dash lines. This position of theroller 202 represents the end of the resetting movement just prior to the When the reset shaft I5 is released, the roller is forced outwardly across the cam surface20I, causing the cam device ll to rotate counterclockwise. and thereby accomplish the pull-back movement.

The movement of the roller in Fig. 7, follows an arcv of a circle from a point closely adjacent the shaft III to a point some distance from the shaft I5, thus. increasing the distance between the shaft and the point of contact on surface 20I as the spring expends its stored energy during the pull-back movement. The pick-up'and stop elements and also the arm I00 are thus shifted to their initial positions, the pin IIO being moved to the lower end of the slot III! in the arm I04 whereby the latch I0! is lockingly received by the lock disc ,I00. The several counters are thus returned to zero position and freed for a new counting operation.

While the construction illustrated and described is designed for resetting numeral wheels which are returned or moved backward to reset the same, the invention is also applicable to constructions wherein the resetting direction of rotation of the numeral wheels or indicating means is forsince the resettingof numeral wheels or the like takes place. in the operation of many different devices. Moreover, it may be desirable to mount the pick-up and zero stop elements, the pullbe sufliciently strong throughout the pull-back movement to effectively free the counters of.

m. as indicated a back cam and the releasable locking means of 7 the resetting mechanism on the same shaft which supports the numeral wheels. Many modifications of my invention thus being possibie, it is to be understood that the form of the invention herein shown and described is intended to be illustrative of a typical embodiment of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope thereof.

I claim:

1. In a counter provided with revolvable means movable away from zero position to perform a counting operation, the combination of resetting mechanism comprising pick-up means movable to a position upon initiation of a resetting operation to return said revolvable means backwards toward zero position, stop means movable to a position during a resetting operation to engage and stop said revolvable means in zero position, and means operable after said revolvable means reaches zero position to withdraw said pick-up means and said stop means from their operable position to free said revolvable means for a new counting operation.

2. In a counter provided with revolvable means movable away from zero position to perform a counting operation, the combination of resetting mechanism comprising means including a pick-up element movable to a position upon initiation of a resetting operation to engage and move said revolvable means backwards toward zero position, means including a stop element movable to a position during a resetting operation to engage and stop said revolvable means in zero position,

and means for storing energy during a resetting operation to effect disengagement of said pick-up and stop elements from said revolvable means when said revolvable means has reached zero position.

3. In a counter provided with revolvable means movable away from zero position to perform a counting operation, the combination of resetting mechanism comprising a shaft, means for actuating said shaft to effect a resetting operation, means including a pick-up element movable to a position upon initiation of a resetting operation to engage and move said revolvable means backwards toward zero position, means including a stop element movable to a position during a resetting operation to engage and stop said revolvable means in zero position, and means operatively connected to said shaft for storing energy during a resetting operation to eifecta pull-back movement on said shaft when said revolvable means has reached zero position, whereby said pick-up means and said stop means are moved to free said revolvable means for a new counting operation.

4. In a counter provided with revolvable means movable away from zero position to perform a counting operation, said revolvable means including a member movable in an orbit during counting and resetting operations, the combination of resetting mechanism comprising a pick-up device including an element biased for movement into said orbit whereby said element is adapted to engage said member and return said revolvable means to zero position, a latch operable to retain said element free of said orbit during a counting operation and to release said element for movement in said orbit during a resetting operation, and means for effecting a pull-back movement on said device after said revolvable means has reached zero position, said latch being positioned to engage and cause said element to move out of said orbit during said pull-back movement.

5. In a counter provided with revolvable means movable away from zero position to perform a counting operation, the combination of resetting mechanism comprising a shaft, means associated with said shaft to move said revolvable means backwards toward zero position during a resetting operation, stop means movable to a position to engage and stop said revolvable means in zero position, means for effecting a pull-back movement on said shaft after said revolvable means has reached zero position, and means associated with said shaft to effect movement of said stop means to zero stopping position during a resetting operation and from said zero stopping position during said pull-back movement. I

6. In a counter provided with revolvable means movable away from zero position to perform a counting operation, the combination of resetting mechanism comprising a shaft, means associated with said shaft to return said revolvable means backwards toward zero position during a resetting operation, a pawl biased for movement to a position to engage and stop said revolvable means in zero position, means for effecting a pull-back movement on said shaft after said revolvable means has reached zero position, and means including an element on said shaft and a latch on said pawl adapted to release said pawl during a resetting operation and to move said pawl from zero stopping position during the pull-back movement.

7. The combination defined in claim 6 provided further with an additional latch to intercept and temporarily hold the biased pawl in a non-stopping position when released, the element on said shaft being arranged to trip said additional latch before said revolvable means reaches zero position.

8. In a counter provided with revolvable means movable away from zero position to periorm a counting operation, the combination of resetting mechanism comprising a shaft, means associated with said shaft adapted to engage and move said revolvable means backwards to zero upon a resetting movement of said shaft through one and a fraction revolutions, means including a pawl biased for movement to a position to engage and stop said revolvable means in zero position, means for effecting a pull-back movement on said shaft of an amount equal to said fraction of a revolution at the completion of said resetting movement, and means associated with said shaft adapted to release said pawl during a resetting movement and to move said pawl from zero stopping position during the pull-back movement.

9. In a counter provided with revolvable means movable away from zero position to perform a counting operation, the combination of resetting mechanism comprising a shaft, means associated with said shaft including an element biased to a position to engage and move said revolvable means backwards toward zero position during a resetting movement of said shaft through one and a fraction revolutions, means including a pawl biased for movement to a position to engage and stop said revolvable means in zero position, means for effecting a pull-back movement on said shaft of an amount equal to said fraction of a revolution at the completion of said resetting movement, means responsive to the pull-back movement of said shaft to effect the withdrawal of said element and said pawl from engagement with said revolvable means, and means associated with said shaft to prevent said pawl from moving to zero stopping position until the shaft has moved through a partial rotation at least equal to said fraction of a revolution.

10. In a counter provided with revolvable means movable away from zero position to perform a counting operation, said revolvable means including a member movable in an orbit during 6 counting and resetting operations, the combination of resetting mechanism comprising a pickup device including an element biased for move- -ment into said orbit whereby said element is adapted to engage said member and return said 10 revolvable means to zero position, a latch operable to retain said element free of said orbit during a counting operation and to release said element for movement in said orbit during a resetting operation, said latch being positioned to engage and cause said element to move out of said orbit during a pull-back movement, and means including a spring and leverage system for effecting said pull-back movement wherein the leverage at which said spring operates is increased as the spring reacts.

11. In a counter provided with revolvable means movable awag from zero position to perform a counting operation, the combination of resetting mechanism comprising a shaft, means associated 5 with said shaft to move said revolvable means barkwards toward zero position during a resetting operation, stop means biased for movement into the path of movement of said revolvable means to engage and stop said revolvable means 30 in zero position, means associated with said shaft adapted to withdraw said stop means from said path near the end of a pull-back movement on said shaft, and means including a spring and leverage system for effecting said pull-back movement wherein the leverage at which the spring operates is increased as the spring reacts.

12. In a counter provided with revolvable means movable away from zero position to perform a counting operation, said revolvable means in- \o eluding a member movable in an orbit during counting and resetting operations, the combination of resetting mechanism comprising a pick-up element biased for movement into said orbit to 45 engage said member and return said revolvable means toward zero position, retaining means for said element arranged to release said element upon initiation of a resetting operation and to effect the withdrawal of said element from said orbit during a pull-back movement, stop means biased for movement into a position to stop said revolvable means in zero position, retaining means for said stop means arranged to release said stop means during a resetting operation and to withdraw said stop means near the end of a pull-back movement, and means including a spring and leverage system for effecting said pull-back move ment wherein the leverage of said system is increased as the spring reacts. v

60 13. In a counter provided with resetting mechanism adapted to engage the counting mechanism during a resetting movement and to release said counting mechanism during a pull-back movement, said resetting mechanism requiring substantial force near the end of said pull-back movement to effect said release; the combination of a cam mounted for movement with said resetting mechanism, a spring, and a follower biased by said spring against said cam, a portion of/said 70 cam being shaped to provide a surface extending outwardly from the axis of said cam over which the follower is adapted to move so that the leverage at which the force of the spring is applied to said resetting mechanism: is increased as. the 75 spring reacts.

14. In a device of the character described wherein a pull-back movement isrequired with application of substantially constant torque, the combination of a shaft, a cam mounted on said shaft, an arm pivoted adjacent said shaft, a roller carried by said arm, and a spring operatively as-' sociated with said arm to force said roller against said cam, the pull-back portion of the cam surface being extended outwardly from the axis of said shaft so that the force of the roller is applied to said shaft at increasing leverage as the spring reacts.

15. In a device of the character described wherein a pull-back movement is required with application of substantially constant torque, the combination of a cam having a surface extending outwardly from the axis of rotation, a follower, means providing a variable force for urging said follower against said surface, and said follower being pivotally mounted at-a point offset from the axis of said cam so that the leverage at which said force is applied to said cam is adapted to be varied as said force is varied.

16. In a counter of the type having at least aflrst and a second numeral wheel each rotatably mounted on a supporting shaft and transfer mechanism including a lock disc and a transfer pinion to drive said second wheel a fraction of a rotation for each complete rotation of said first wheel, the transfer pinion being secured to said shaft whereby rotation of said shaft is adapted to return said second wheel to zero position; the combination of resetting mechanism adapted to control the movement of said shaft and also return said first wheel to ma position comprising means to move said shaft during a resetting operation, pick-up means movable to a position upon initiation of a resetting operation to return said first wheel to zero position, means movable to a position after initial movement of said pick-up meansto stop said first wheel in zero-position, and means for moving said pick-up means and said stop means upon completion of said resetting operation to free said first wheel for a new counting operation. i

17. In a counter of the type having at least a first and a second numeral wheel each rotatably mounted on a supporting shaft and transfer mechanism including a lock disc and a transfer pinion to drive said second wheel a fraction of a rotation for each complete rotation of said first wheel, the transfer pinion being secured to said shaft whereby rotation of said shaft is adapted toreturn said second wheel'to zero position; the com- .bination of resetting mechanism adapted to control the movement of said shaft and also return said first wheel to zero position comprising a reable after said first wheel has reached zero position to release said first wheel and releasably lock said supporting shaft.

18. In a computer having a counter for indicating the amount and another counter for indicating the cost of units being computed; the combination of resetting mechanism adapted to simultaneously reset each counter backwards to zero position comprising a reset shaft, pick-up means associated with said reset shaft for movement during a resetting operation to return each counter backwards toward zero position, each of said counters being provided with an engageable lug, means biased to a position to engage and stop said lugs in zero position, means operable when said counters have reached zero position to eiiect a pull-back movement on said shaft, and means associated with said shaft for eiieoting movement of said stop means to lug engaging position during the resetting operation and from lug engaging position during the pull-back movement.

CHARLES S. HAZARD. 

